Papers of the Interdepartmental Conference on Middle Eastern Affairs [‎115r] (229/290)

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Mesopotamia, which, however they might compare with a Crown
colony, were, he understood, considerably less than those of British
officials in Persia. Mesopotamia should, he considered, he placed
more nearly on a footing with Persia in this respect than with a
Crown colony, it being essential that officials should he in a position
to maintain the rather high standard of the Arab gentleman.
Major Young said that if a parallel were to be drawn the
criterion should be the ratio of the number of British officials
employed to the total population. In this respect India appeared
to provide a closer parallel to Mesopotamia than Persia. He hoped
that this condition of affairs would not be permanent.
After some discussion, Mr. Vcrno7i said that the decision on the
general question raised must be reserved.
The question of surveys was again briefly discussed, and their
handing over to the civil administration was agreed to in principle,
subject to more detailed financial information being obtained from
Baghdad and communicated to the Treasury.
Inland Water
Transport.
Mr. Wakely circulated telegram No. 2852 of the 3rd March
from the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad. He observed that as
regards some details Colonel Wilsons exact meaning was not very
clear, but apparently he was now opposed on grounds of economy
to taking over any of the inland water transport except for the
three services mentioned—viz., Bridges, Dredging, and Civil Trans
portation Pool. It was clear that he w'as not now prepared to take
over the vessels required for military purposes.
General May observed that it was not known exactly how many
vessels were involved. He understood that the total number of the
fleet was between 1,500 and 1,600, but whether or not the surplus
was to be disposed of did not affect the principle of handing over the
remainder to the civil administration. He raised the question of the
proposed marine.
Colonel Redman said he understood the telegram to mean that
any portion of the fleet that would be used for commercial purposes
was to be disposed of and not retained under the civil administration.
With regard to the defence vessels, the intention had been that
the civil authorities should piovide the crews and the military the
gunners. The General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, was in
favour of a joint marine for all Government vessels.
Major Hobart said that the General Staff considered that
sufficient vessels should be retained for some years to come to move
troops up or down the 500 miles of the Itiver Tigris between Baghdad
and Basrah in case of emergency. These vessels would not normally
be required by the military authorities and could thus be lent to the
civil administration for commercial purposes. He pointed out that,
in addition to the other vessels, there were eight “ fly-boats " armed
with machine-guns or three or six-pounders which were useless for
other than military purposes. These, he considered, might be taken
over by the civil administration for police purposes. Another point
was that certain vessels fitted with refrigerating apparatus, at
present used for transport of frozen-meat rations for the troops,
should be retained as he was not aware that there were any
facilities for refrigerating on the railways. He also considered that
when the surplus vessels were disposed of a clause should be added
to the sale contract by which the military authorities had the right
to commandeer them in case of emergency.
Mr. Vernon was of opinion that the Civil Transport Pool,
Dredging and Bridges Service should, at any rate, be handed over
to the civil authorities. He considered that Colonel Wilson ought